YES: New four-storey music venue, bar and food hangout to open this week

It’ll be Firebird Hope’s new home – with added pizza

Manchester promoters and music fans Now Wave are soon to throw wide the doors of YES, Manchester’s newest independent music venue, in the form of a versatile new four-floor space.

The former auctioneers’ house and printing press, which has stood on Charles Street since 1912, has now been transformed into a wheelchair-accessible social hub and creative space for all; spread between a basement club, ground-floor beer hall bar, live ‘Pink Room’ and a rooftop terrace with a sound system incorporating 'NASA-approved technology'.

Pizzas will, of course, have a musical influence - with the likes of ‘shwarma police’ joining ‘aubergine genie’

The official opening weekend will kick off on Friday 21 September, when 5000 free drinks will be given away. They'll also be offering slices of 'Pepperoni Playboy' pizza to enjoy, alongside a stellar line up of DJs and live bands including Black Midi, Gabe Gurnsey, The Goon Sax and A Certain Ratio.

The YES team is comprised of independent promoters Now Wave (Wesley Jones and Jon Wickstead), along with Ruth Hemmingfield (formerly of The Deaf Institute, Gorilla, The Albert Hall, Band on the Wall and currently of design agency PIN). They've drafted in one of the city’s finest street food vendors, Firebird Hope, to oversee the food operation, which will be served from midday ‘until late’ seven days a week.

Wes, Ruth and Jon - the YES team

Following on from their recent successful three-month residency at Hatch, Firebird’s owner Dan Hope and team will initially be helping YES to launch ‘Pepperoni Playboy’, selling New York style pizzas by the slice. In a couple of weeks, the food offering at YES will be further enhanced by Firebird’s free-range chicken burgers and vegan sandwiches, along with trays with fried chicken and pickles. “We’re going to be taking our home made pickle game up a notch,” says Dan, “with more of a nod to seasonality too.”

Pepperoni Playboy pizza will offer a six slice menu with two vegan, two vegetarian and two meat options. Pizzas will, of course, have a musical influence - with the likes of ‘shwarma police’ joining ‘aubergine genie’. Between midday and 7pm, they'll be available at half price, with Margheritas starting at just £1.30 per slice.

Firebird Hope's 'Level Up' chicken sandwich
Bacon On The Beech

A selection of worldwide beers will be served to the booths, with vermouth being a speciality during YES’ £5 Negroni festivals in the rooftop ‘V&T bar’.

“We are very aware people’s money needs to stretch a long way,” says co-owner Jon. “That’s why you’ll always be able to get a pint at YES for £2.95, and it will always be free entry into the bar and our roof terrace seven days a week”.

The four-storey music venue will open on 21 September

“I think this is going to be so great for the city”, adds Dan, “this is so different to the other rooftop bars in the city, because it’s for everyone.

"I genuinely couldn’t have thought of a better next step for Firebird Hope than this and I think it will do really well.”